Saturday 19th February 2005 - Gasworks Park, Larkhall. Stagecoach Premier League. Att: 400 (pics c/o Kathryn MacLeod)
Larlhall Thistle 0 (0) In chilly conditions, Lok battled to a 2-0 win, their eleventh in succession, and dented Larkhall Thistle's own chances of taking the league title at the end of the season. Pollok's two changes to the starting line-up were Simon Black replacing Martin Nelson in central midfield, while the fit-again Willie Stewart regained his place from Mark McKeever.
Pollok 2 (0)
Larkhall Thistle scorer: -

Pollok scorer: Gavin Friels (61, 90)
Simon Black made an impressive first start for Pollok
(pics c/o Kathryn MacLeod)

Pollok dominated the opening exchanges and could have gone ahead in the 4th minute when Lok won a free-kick after Simon Black was fouled by George Fotheringham about 22 yards out. Raymond Logan hit the free-kick well but Craig Marshall tipped the ball over the bar. A Derek Heaton layoff found Black four minutes later, but the bustling former Thistle hero shot wide.

Pollok stepped up the pressure and in the 13th minute Gavin Friels headed the ball onto the bar from close range, and although the ball fell kindly to Logan, his headed return was straight at Marshall who blocked right on the line. The last meaningful action of the first half came in the 20th minute when Logan fired over the bar.

Craig Marshall tips Logan's free-kick over the bar
(pics c/o Kathryn MacLeod)

Willie Stewart breaks clear of Fotheringham and Paterson
(pics c/o Kathryn MacLeod)
The Lok players celebrate after Friels nets again
(pics c/o Kathryn MacLeod)

Larkhall began the second half in a brighter manner and enjoyed much more possession, but when it came to creating chances, Pollok again had the upper hand.

Gavin Friels bundles the ball past Marshall to the delight of the Lok faithful behind the goal
(pics c/o Kathryn MacLeod)
Simon Black fired wide again in the 50th minute then three minutes later, Lok had a glorious chance to take the lead when Orr brought down Gavin Friels in the area and Derek Nicholls awarded a penalty. Unfortunately for Lok, the usually reliable John Tinney drilled his effort onto Marshall's upright.
It seemed like it wasn't going to be Lok's day. But that all changed when Larkhall didn't do a great job clearing their lines, allowing Pollok to regain possession and break quickly. A long ball upfield deflected off Kavanagh into the path of Martin McLauchlan who accelerated down the right touchline before cutting the ball back for GAVIN FRIELS to literally run onto and the Lok goal-machine chested the ball into the back of the net past Marshall.

Thistle had a chance to equalise when McWilliams conceded a needless corner but thast opportunity wasn't taken, and deep into stoppage time they were made to pay the price when a WIlson punt upfield deceived Williamson, allowing GAVIN FRIELS to nip in behind him and head the ball over the charging-out Marshall and into the net.

Pollok deserved the points, though Larkhall were missing key players that made their own job all the harder.

Raymond Logan during one of the snowstorms
(pics c/o Kathryn MacLeod)
Larkhall Thistle: Marshall, McLuskey (sub 27 for Gemmill), Williamson, Kavanagh (sub 65 for Murray), Heron, Paterson, Fotheringham, Bovill, McFadden, Orr, Watson (sub 54 for Willoughby). Not used: Smillie, A. McFarlane
Pollok: Wilson, McWilliams, Black (sub 73 for Jordan), Aitchison, Heaton, McClay, Stewart, Logan, McLauchlan (sub 90 for Proctor), Friels, Tinney (sub 78 for McKeever). Not used: Paterson, Sweeney.
Booked: Aitchison 65
Ref: D. Nicholls
 
Saturday 12th February 2005 - Newlandsfield Park, Glasgow. Scottish Junior Cup 5th Rd. Att: 850 (pics c/o Kathryn MacLeod)
Pollok 3 (1) Pollok battled their way through to the last eight of the OVD Junior Cup with a character-laden 3-2 victory over Fife visitors Hill of Beath Hawthorn at Newlandsfield Park, writes Martin Donnelly. Rab Sneddon made one change from the team that triumphed over Renfrew the previous week, with Mark McKeever replacing Willie Stewart, who was not fully fit, on the right-hand side for Pollok.
Hill of Beath Hawthorn 2 (2)
Pollok scorers: Raymond Logan (43, 72) Kevin Proctor (81)

Hill of Beath scorers: Ally Gray (1), Conrad Courts (33)
Raymond Logan had a brilliant game and netted twice
(pics c/o Kathryn MacLeod)

The home side soon found themselves a goal behind when they failed to defend a long throw and ALLY GRAY slammed the ball home to give the Haws a first minute lead. The visitors seemed happy to try to hold this lead, and other than a Raymond Logan header that sailed well over from 8 yards out the home side were finding it hard to create clear-cut chances. Craig Noble and Barry Smith both found their way into referee John McKendrick's notebook for fouls on Andy McClay and John Tinney, before the Fifers extended their lead further in the 33rd minute.

There seemed little danger when they were awarded a free-kick 30 yards from goal, but CONRAD COURTS' spectacular effort beat Ian Wilson into the top left corner of the net. Marc Graham was finally called into action in the 37th minute when he held a tame Martin McLauchlan effort, before Courts again tested Wilson from long range. Pollok were to eventually find a way back into the game in the 43rd minute when tenacious work from McLauchlan and Gavin Friels set up RAYMOND LOGAN, who did just enough to beat Graham from close range. Martyn Thomson was subsequently booked for delaying the restart.

Ian Wilson sees Conrad Courts' free-kick whistle past him like a cannonball
(pics c/o Kathryn MacLeod)

Raymond Logan rises to power a header goalwards
(pics c/o Kathryn MacLeod)
The second half was also to start with a booking, this time John Mitchell for pulling back Friels. As the pressure mounted on the Haws both managers made changes, with Colin Hodge replacing Mitchell and Mark McWilliams making way for Stewart. Pollok continued to search for an equaliser, and only a last-ditch block from Hugh O'Neill prevented McLauchlan from finding it.

A John Tinney header went wide before McClay and Brian Dempster joined the list of sinners in Mr. McKendrick's book. The tackle by Dempster on Martin Nelson saw the 'Lok midfielder taken off, with Kevin Proctor replacing him. Pollok finally got the reward their play had deserved in the 72nd minute when a McLauchlan cross was flicked on and RAYMOND LOGAN appeared at the back post to bullet a header home.

Kevin Proctor (left) glances the winner past Graham
(pics c/o Kathryn MacLeod)
While some consulted the match programme for directions to Keir's Park in anticipation of a replay the home side continued to push for a winner, and it duly arrived in the 81st minute. Stewart played a short free-kick to Tinney, and his measured cross was met by KEVIN PROCTOR to give Pollok the lead for the first time in the game.

Peter Jordan replaced McLauchlan as Rab Sneddon attempted to hold the lead, although Jordan nearly added to it when firing over four minutes from time. Haws introduced strikers Gary Gilfillan and Fraser Arnot for Noble and Thomson, and although they forced a last minute corner, when that came to nothing their chance was gone.

Conrad Courts became the final player in the book when he received a yellow card deep into injury time, and the final whistle was met with both delight and relief from those among the home support.

Pollok can therefore look forward to the draw for the last eight for the first time in seven years, while Haws will rue not holding on for at least a replay having been two goals to the good.

Match winner Kevin Proctor
(pics c/o Kathryn MacLeod)
Pollok: Wilson, McWilliams (sub 61 for Stewart), Nelson (sub 69 for Proctor), Aitchison, Heaton, McClay, McKeever, Logan, McLauchlan (sub 85 for Jordan), Friels, Tinney. Not used: Paterson, Burns.
Booked: McClay 66
Hill of Beath Hawthorn: Graham, Noble (sub 85 for Gilfillan), Mitchell (sub 60 for Hodge), Dempster, T. Courts, O'Neill, Smith, C. Courts, Thomson (sub 86 for Arnot), Gray, Roberts. Not used: Wright, Westwood.
Booked: Noble 13, Smith 30, Thomson 43, Mitchell 57, Dempster 69, C. Courts 90
Ref: J. McKendrick
 
Saturday 5th February 2005 - Newlandsfield Park, Glasgow. Stagecoach Premier League. Att: 840 (pics c/o Kathryn MacLeod)
Pollok 2 (1) The fourth meeting of the season between Lok and Renfrew was as closely contested as the other matches, though on this occasion it was Pollok who came out on top. Ran Sneddon named an unchanged starting line-up, and the only change to the 16 from the Whitburn game was new signing Simon Black replacing Rab Burns on the bench. Darren Miller watched from the terraces.
Renfrew 1 (0)
Pollok scorers: Raymond Logan 41, Gavin Friels 49

Renfrew scorer: Mark Andrews 67
'Branco' Cameron closes down Gavin Friels
(pics c/o Kathryn MacLeod)

Pollok had early chances to open the scoring, though Renfrew shot wide inside the opening minute. Gavin Friels saw a shot tipped over in the 5th minute and both he and McLauchlan linked up superbly ten minutes on but the move came to nothing. Friesl continued to be a danger to a weakened Renfrew side and was allowed to run unchallenged from halfway before driving the ball goalwards, only for 'Frew veteran keeper John Thomson to save.

Brogan and Thomson got themselves involved in a bit of a mix-up in the 20th minute but fortunately for the visitors they managed to clear the danger. Andy McClay then went close for Lok when he got onto a layoff and fired a first-time shot on goal that Thomson, making only his second start of the season, saved.

The Lok faithful rejoice as Logan (far right) opens the scoring
(pics c/o Kathryn MacLeod)

McLauchlan looks to create a Lok attack
(pics c/o Kathryn MacLeod)
Pollok took the lead in the 41st minute when Willie Stewart sent a shot goalwards but RAYMOND LOGAN made doubly sure by lashing the ball high past Thomson from close range. Renfrew were not far away from equalising two minutes before half time when a cutback found Alan Prentice and he forced Wilson into making a good save.

Renfrew began the second half on the attack, and Andy Kenna brought Wilson into action once again, but the Lok No 1 was equal to his effort. Just as 'Frew pushed for an equaliser, Lok extended their lead. 49 minutes were on the clock when a shot from Logan at the edge of the area was bundled into the net by GAVIN FRIELS for his 16th stirke of the season.

The game turned slightly nasty in the 52nd minute when John McLay stood on Logan's arm - referee Euan Norris viewed that as accidental, thoguh Logan's angry reaction was rewarded with a caution. Wilson then produced a save fom Mark Cameron while Thomson denied a Logan header, but Renfrew brought themselves back into contention when sub MARK ANDREWS fired in from 20 yards out in the 67th minute, though Lok were kicking themselves for some sloppy defending.

 Tempers flare after the McLay-Logan incident
(pics c/o Kathryn MacLeod)
The game's result was almost assured by the decision to take Nelson and McLauchlan off for Chris Sweeney and Simon Black. Sweeney, although a bit rusty after being out of action for 2 months, added a bit of height to the rearguard while Black made a lively debut alongside Friels upfront, setting up Friels for a goal-den opportunity to make it 3-1 as well as narrowly shooting wide himself from the edge of the area.

Renfrew finished up with 10 men late on when Raymond Dunne caught Sweeney badly down the back of his calf, though from my own angle there were worse tackles in the game.

Pollok can be pleased with picking up another 3 points and a tough workout against a talented if occasionally overly-physical side such as Renfrew will be great preparation for the Hill of Beath game.

Mark Cameron moves in on Simon Black
(pics c/o Kathryn MacLeod)
Pollok: Wilson, McWilliams, Nelson (sub 81 for Sweeney), Aitchison, Heaton, McClay, Stewart (sub 71 for McKeever), Logan, McLauchlan (sub 81 for Black), Friels, Tinney. Not used: Proctor, Jordan.
Booked: Nelson 35, Logan 52, Tinney 90
Renfrew: Thomson, Clark, Brogan, Cameron, Peacock (sub 63 for Andrews), Harvey, Kenna, McLay (sub 63 for Colsh), Dunne, Cuthbert, Prentice. Not used: Ross, Farquharson, McQuade.
Booked: McLay 40, Colsh 74
Sent off: Dunne 89
Referee: E. Norris